Separatism in JK more out of convenience than conviction: Jitendra Singh

New Delhi, Oct 27: Separatism in Jammu and Kashmir is more out of convenience rather than conviction and the children of separatists are enjoying while those of common people are suffering, Union Minister Jitendra Singh has said.

The Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said terrorism in the Valley was mercenary in nature and is not driven by any conviction, ideology or motivation.

“It is a paid terrorism perpetrated, funded and sponsored by hostile powers which all of us know,” Singh said in an apparent reference to Pakistan.

He said Pakistan never reconciled to Jammu and Kashmir becoming a part of India and therefore resorted to all kinds of tactics and strategies which failed to yield the kind of results which it had envisaged.

“There is no such issue as Kashmir issue. Jammu and Kashmir is a part of Indian Union very much like other States of UP, Bihar or Punjab,” he said.

Singh said if at all there was any issue pertaining to Jammu and Kashmir, it was to retrieve the Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK) and restore the original culture and demographic character of the state which would be possible only by the return of the displaced Kashmiri Pandit community.

“Separatists stand exposed. The separatism in Kashmir is more out of convenience rather than conviction, which is not easily palatable but it is a fact,” Singh said at an event organised by the Times Network.

He termed as “fake” the separatists’ freedom model, arguing that it neither follows the Gandhian or Martin Luther model nor does it reflect the Nelson Mandela model.

“It is a model that follows the pattern of getting the neighbours’ children to become jihadis and lodging your own children in safe heavens,” he said at the event where a documentary series titled ‘Kashmir: the story’ was also released.

Singh also came down heavily on mainstream politicians for practicing what he described as “opportunistic separatism”.

“There are so-called politicians and political parties which practice separatism behind the mask of mainstream that is something we have to guard against. That is the hidden enemy among us.

“Opportunistic separatism practised by some so-called mainstream politicians is even worse than those identified as ones practising separatist agenda,” he said.

Singh termed the partition as the “most disastrous blunder” which he said was motivated by the personal ambitions of certain individuals while majority of Indians were against it.

“The blunder of partition was followed by Nehruvian blunders,” he said, in reference to the first Prime Minister’s declaration of the ceasef ire and his approaching the UNO.

“If only Nehru had allowed his Home Minister to handle J and K in the same manner as Sardar Patel was handling other princely states of India, I am sure the history of not just Jammu and Kashmir but of the entire Indian subcontinent would have been different today,” he said.

Singh also said some intellectuals were finding Kashmir as a “very fertile playground” and termed their “intellectual terrorism” a cause of greater harm.

Speaking at the event, Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik said for the last fifty years, the political leadership in the state had only made false promises to the people.

“Be it the promise of freedom. Freedom with Pakistan’s help or autonomy,” he said.

The governor said the need of the hour was to tell people that the armed struggle was not the solution.

“There is a need to inform people that we want to kill terrorism not them…The policy of healing touch is needed, but what is needed more is development and removing corruption and unemployment,” he said.

Malik said his mandate was only to reach out to the people, listen to their problems and prepare a conducive atmosphere for dialogue.

“I don’t have the mandate for a dialogue. It’s with the Prime Minister and with the political parties and other stakeholders,” he said.

He lashed out at the Hurriyat for invoking Pakistan on every occasion.

“The problem with Hurriyat is that they can’t even go to the toilet without Pakistan. They want to include Pakistan in everything. I have made it clear that we won’t have anything to do with Pakistan in Kashmir. Talks will take place with Pakistan like they do between any two countries but that would be outside Kashmir not inside it,” he said.

Malik also said a litany of lies was being propagated about the situation in Kashmir which in reality was not that bad.

“More people die in Bihar and UP than the number of casualties that take place in Kashmir,” he said.

DEO Baramulla reviews Panchayat poll arrangements

Baramulla, Nov 21: District Election Officer (DEO) Baramulla Dr Nasir Ahmad Naqash Wednesday chaired a meeting to review the arrangements put in place for the smooth and fair conduct of Panchayat Polls scheduled on November 24.

On the occasion, a thorough discussion with regard to the necessary arrangements including the deployment of poll staff, transportation of polling material, heating and lighting arrangements, security arrangements at the polling stations and other requisite arrangements was held.

Emphasizing for maintaining close coordination, the DEO stressed for working with synergy and enthusiasm so that elections are conducted in a free and fair manner. He directed for the deployment of polling staff and material well in advance at the respective polling stations, adding that such an exercise will help in conducting the polls in a hassle-free manner.

Meanwhile, the DEO was briefed by the Deputy District Election Officer that in district Baramulla polling in two blocks has been scheduled in Phase-III in which 51 candidates for 15 sarpanch halqas and 151 candidates for 113 panch halqas are in the fray. He informed that 116 polling stations have been established wherein about 18754 eligible voters can cast their votes.

Forest deptt plants 500 saplings in Langate

Srinagar, Nov 21: Forest Department North Circle planted 500 saplings in Langate Forest as a part of plantation campaign “Reforest Kashmir”, initiated by the department to increase green cover and boost public participation.

According to the official handout, under the campaign, a plantation programme was organized in compartment No. 12/ Rfd (Braman Rafiabad) of Langate forest division where 500 saplings were planted. The programme was attended by newly recruited forest guards, civil society members and students of the local area.

Speaking on the occasion, DFO Langate Forest Division Waseem Farooq Mir (DCF) emphasized the importance of planting local species and also imparted training about plantation techniques to the participants.

The master trainer, Dr. Stanzin Rabgyas and Dy. District Panchayat Election Officer, Leh Dr. Udham Dass gave detailed training to them about every procedure of elections and urged them to perform the duties with utmost dedication and sincerity to ensure free, fair and transparent elections.DC Leh Avny Lavasa appreciated the female participation for voluntarily performing the election duties. “Taking a new task apart from the routine work would give an opportunity of new experiences in life,” she said and asked the female trainees to do the election duties with full knowledge and greater responsibility. She urged to look for the possibility of framing at least 2-3 polling parties for the 3rd phase of Panchayat elections in Leh comprising of female officials only, saying that it would be a new inventiveness from Leh district. Lavasa wished the female participants all the best and hoped that female employees of Leh district would perform election duties with greatest confidence and commitment.

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